Language learning systems and methods

Abstract

A systems, methods, and products for language learning software that automatically extracts text from corpora using various natural-language processing product features, which can be combined with custom-designed learning activities to offer a needs-based, adaptive learning methodology. The system may receive a text, extract keywords pedagogically valuable to non-native language learning, assign a difficulty score to the text using various linguistic attributes of the text, generate a list of potential distractors for each keyword in the text to implement in learning activities, and topically tag the text against a taxonomy based on the content. This output is then used in conjunction with a series of learning activity-types designed to meet learners' language skill needs and then used to create dynamic, adaptive activities for them.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A server-implemented method comprising:
 determining, by a server, a language skill associated with a learner based on one or more attributes associated with a content interest of a learner;   selecting, by the server from a database, a resource based on the language skill associated with the learner, wherein the resource comprises a plurality of keywords;   generating, by the server, one or more distractors using one or more keywords of the plurality of keywords associated with a type of learning activity for the learner to exercise the language skill; and   generating, by the server, one or more learning activities comprising the one or more distractors, wherein the one or more learning activities are presented on a graphical user interface of a computer of the learner.   
     
     
         2 . The server-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more attributes associated with the learner comprises a proficiency level and a goal of the learner. 
     
     
         3 . The server-implemented method of  claim 1 , further comprising generating, by the server, a lesson comprising the one or more learning activities, wherein the lesson is presented on the graphical user interface of the computer of the learner. 
     
     
         4 . The server-implemented method of  claim 3 , further comprising sequencing, by the server, the one or more learning activities in the lesson to maximize a pedagogical value. 
     
     
         5 . The server-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more distractors comprises one or more semantic distractors. 
     
     
         6 . The server-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more distractors comprises one or more phonetic distractors. 
     
     
         7 . The server-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein the learning activity is a reading comprehension activity comprising one or more multiple choice questions about a content of the resource. 
     
     
         8 . The server-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein the learning activity is a word match activity comprising an exercise to provide an input in one or more fields in an article using a list of all available keywords. 
     
     
         9 . The server-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein the learning activity is a vocabulary challenge activity to identify a target keyword in the resource using audio. 
     
     
         10 . The server-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein the learning activity is a sound drop activity where the learner uses one or more audio files to identify missing words in an exercise. 
     
     
         11 . A system comprising:
 a server configured to:
 determine a language skill associated with a learner based on one or more attributes associated with a content interest of a learner; 
 select from a database a resource based on the language skill associated with the learner, wherein the resource comprises a plurality of keywords; 
 generate one or more distractors using one or more keywords from the plurality of keywords associated with a type of learning activity for the learner to exercise the language skill; and 
 generate one or more learning activities comprising the one or more distractors, wherein the one or more learning activities are presented on a graphical user interface of a computer of the learner. 
   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the one or more attributes associated with the learner comprises a proficiency level and a goal of the learner. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the server is further configured to generate a lesson comprising the one or more learning activities, wherein the lesson is presented on the graphical user interface of the computer of the learner. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the server is further configured to sequence the one or more learning activities in the lesson to maximize a pedagogical value. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the one or more distractors comprises one or more semantic distractors. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the one or more distractors comprises one or more phonetic distractors. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the learning activity is a reading comprehension activity comprising one or more multiple choice questions about a content of the resource. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the learning activity is a word match activity comprising an exercise to provide an input in one or more fields in an article using a list of all available keywords. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the learning activity is a vocabulary challenge activity to identify a target keyword in the resource using audio. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the learning activity is a sound drop activity where the learner uses to one or more audio files to identify missing words in an exercise.